"Ah, Adrian?"

"You look as if you've seen a ghost."

Not that he was actually deceased or anything.

However, his sudden appearance was surprising enough to give that impression.

Due to the Past Alteration, the Demon Tribe's prophecy disappeared, eliminating any reason for him to come to the Academy.

I thought he would be living well as a prince in the Royal Palace.

"Do you have the memory?"

The Demon King, Reinesis, spoke.

She said she doesn't remember the past as it was before the change. But she knows someone who does.

"Ah, luckily enough, my memory came back."

As I had expected, Adrian nodded with his usual sly smile.

Then he sat down next to the Demon King.

"Well, now that everyone is gathered, shall we start the discussion?"

Reinesis looked between me and Adrian, and with a satisfied smile, she initiated the conversation.

I glanced at the two with a tense look.

It's an unexpected combination, so I wonder what kind of story will unfold.

The Demon King and Adrian.

From my perspective, two people who were previously antagonistic have come together to see me.

"Getting straight to the point, Ken."

Adrian began the story.

He wore a faint smile but looked at me with a surprisingly serious gaze.

I sensed a peculiar weight in his voice.

"Her Majesty and I have come to ask you to craft a weapon."

"...A weapon?"

It was a far simpler request than I had imagined.

Still, I tilted my head in curiosity.

“Why ask me to make a weapon?”

It's a reasonable question.

After all, I'm just a student at the Academy with some crafting skills.

In contrast, Adrian and Reinesis are leaders of the vast groups within the Lillias Kingdom and the Karab Continent.

Surely, they have plenty of Master Craftsmen who far surpass someone like me.

It was Reinesis, not Adrian, who answered my question.

“Because this weapon needs to be one that can kill my older brother.”

“...What?”

For a moment, it felt like the air in the room changed.

Cold sweat ran down my back, and a chill swept over my skin.

In that instant, I felt an intense aura emanate from Reinesis's youthful face.

“As you heard. I've pushed my brother aside to take the position of Demon King, but he’s still alive.”

“But, if the goal was the throne, why is it necessary to go so far as to kill?”

It's not like I care about his life or death.

However, given the current atmosphere, killing her brother, the former Demon King, involves considerable risk.

Is there really a need to go that far?

“Ken, aside from me, is there anyone else who has regained their memory?”

At that moment, Adrian asked an unexpected question.

“Yes, Emily, Raphne and Mary have regained their memories.”

“I see.”

Adrian’s expression hardened at my response.

Why is that?

The answer became clear with what he said next.

“Arleus, the Demon King who lost the throne… It's possible he has regained his memories."

Hearing this, I felt as if a weight had dropped onto my chest.

"Th-that means..."

"Yes, regaining his memories likely means he's also remembered the prophecy. And he might recall the time when he was Demon King."

"That's likely why we've found signs that my brother is preparing a rebellion. At worst, it might even lead to war."

Though both of them spoke calmly, I couldn't remain composed.

In the game he used the prophecy to persuade the Demon Tribe and firmly grasp the throne of the Demon King.

He repeatedly infiltrated the Academy with the Demon Tribe to realize that prophecy.

In the end, the Demon King, unable to find Raphne, even initiated a war in the game.

If that former Demon King has regained his memories...

Raphne is in danger...

"And Ken, naturally, we are entrusting you with creating the weapon. Out of all the craftsmen I know, your skills stand out the most."

"N-no, I'm not that good..."

Confused and overwhelmed by surprise, I gave a noncommittal response.

However, Adrian shook his head.

"No need for humility. I've seen your skill firsthand. Besides, killing the Demon King can't be done with ordinary weapons."

"The bloodline of the great Jaella cannot be easily killed. That goes for both me and Arleus."

"Ken, we need a Demon Sword capable of killing a high-ranking demon with the blood of a Demon God."

That was the reason the two sought me out.

Perhaps there were reasons unspoken.

Probably because they knew I wouldn't refuse their request.

It's a monumental request to craft a weapon to kill the King of the Demon Tribe. Any ordinary craftsman might refuse out of fear.

The existence of the Demon King is indeed terrifying.

A legendary sword always carries the name of its craftsman.

If it comes to that, who knows what the Demon King's subordinates, who were struck by the sword, might do out of resentment towards the maker.

And I might be the only one who can make such a weapon.

"...But I have no idea how to make such a Demon Sword."

Of course, I would be more than willing to help if it's for the power needed to kill the Demon King.

However, I can only use special power due to my skill.

In reality, I don't have any knowledge about crafting such a Demon Sword.

Even in the game, I've never seen such a sword.

"That part is alright. There is someone who knows about the sword that killed the former Demon King."

In response to my question, Adrian smiled and replied.

"Is there really such a person? Then you should go to that person..."

"Conveniently, he's not a craftsman. Plus, there's the issue of his location..."

"...Location?"

"Ah, I also want to ask you, Ken, regarding this part. Can you help with this?"

"...You seem to have quite high expectations of me, Adrian."

"Well, you are the one who conquered the Legendary Tower. Who else could we expect more from?"

"Oh, I’ve heard about those rumors, too! Among the Demon Tribe, there’s no one who has achieved such a feat. It certainly makes one envious."

Somehow, their curious gazes feel overwhelming.

In reality, the reason I managed to conquer the tower was thanks to other highly skilled companions and the abundant use of cheat-level weapons.

"So… what's this other request about?"

The request is likely about someone who possesses knowledge of the Demon Sword that can kill the Demon King.

It must be a favor related to that person.

Adrian averted his gaze slightly.

"Ken, there's a place you need to go."

"A place I need to go?"

There was a brief pause before he met my eyes and spoke.

"You'll need to enter prison."

"...Pr, pri..."

When he said that, I opened my mouth to ask, thinking I had misheard.

Just then—

CRASH!

"No, no way—!!"

"Adrian! Are you crazy?! Are you telling Ken to commit a crime right now?!"

"...I cannot allow this."

The Student Council room door flew open, and figures in red, yellow, and blue tumbled in one after the other.

Though they seemed in pain from their fall, the three ignored it and began protesting to Adrian with shock, just like me.

Reinesis, observing the scene with amusement, smiled and looked at me.

"Oh, were you all eavesdropping? Surely there were guards outside."

I immediately knew the answer to Reinesis's question.

That's because a fierce aura was emanating from Raphne.

The guards outside must have done their best to fulfill their duties.

I'll apologize to them later.

"No! Absolutely not! Why does Ken have to go to such a place?!"

Raphne hugged my shoulders tightly and glared at the two people in front of us. Confronting the Demon King and the prince of the kingdom required a lot of courage indeed.

Similarly, Mary stood in front of me, emitting a chilly aura.

"Um, well… Since the conversation isn't over yet, shouldn't we hear more about it?"

Unexpectedly, I found myself in the position of calming down the three of them. Honestly, I also wanted to refuse, but seeing the stern expressions on their faces made it impossible.

"Well, don't worry too much."

Adrian calmly sipped his black tea, seemingly unfazed by the stares from all three of them. His composure was quite impressive.

"It’s just that Ken needs to enter the prison as a convict and help that person escape."

"In the end, you're telling him to go to prison—!"

The content of Adrian's reassurance was completely different, making Emily furious as she grabbed Adrian by the collar. In response to his friend's indignant greeting after a long time, Adrian chuckled and ignored her protest.

"Um... if it's a prison... can’t Adrian use his influence to get them out? And do we really need to get them out?"

Being in prison means they are a criminal. What we need is information. If so, there might be a way to obtain the information without having to break them out. And if we must, Adrian, as royalty, could use his power to—

"That's the tricky part."

Adrian responded to my question with a tone of regret.

"The charge against that criminal is treason against the state, directly threatening the royal palace, so it's unacceptable for me, a member of the royal family, to get involved in their release."

It seemed like a political issue.

"Moreover, even when I tried to gather information..."

He shook his head.

That much was easy to anticipate.

Committing treason against the state suggests that the criminal harbors some animosity toward the kingdom, or at least against the royal family. If they were bold enough to commit acts of terror, it’s unlikely they would easily give out the information the royalty desires.

“So, I’m really sorry, but... I have no choice but to ask you. If it's you, you can break him out of prison, obtain the information about the Demon Sword, and complete its creation.”

Hearing his words, it seemed like I was the perfect candidate.

There truly isn't anyone with outstanding combat abilities and crafting skills, except me really.

Moreover, I have a personal reason to do this.

And that reason is the red-haired fiancée embracing me from behind.

“Alright… I accept.”

“Ken—!”

“W-why are you accepting such a dangerous task?”

Emily and Mary looked at me with worried expressions after hearing my response.

“I knew you would accept… I'll make sure to repay this favor.”

Adrian conveyed his sincere gratitude.

There’s no helping it.

It’s not like he’s asking me to defeat the Demon King.

It’s simply a request to create a weapon to defeat the Demon King. This much I can accept.

Moreover, Adrian is a benefactor who helped us strategize the Tower of Tarlos.

Ignoring his request wouldn’t be right.

However.

“…I want to go too.”

The issue was the three people besides myself.

Particularly, an intimidating aura was emanating from Raphne behind me.

Even Reinesis, the Demon King known as the ruler of the Demon Tribe, looked at the space behind me with startled eyes.

“I’m going to the prison too.”

It seems difficult to dissuade her.

And to Raphne’s statement, Adrian took a sip of his black tea before saying something hard to handle.

“Well, it’s reassuring if you do go. The prisoner happens to be a woman, and the place you need to go is a women’s prison.”

“…What?”

Is he really asking me to go to such a place?

Adrian, who I couldn’t quite read, simply laughed cheerfully.

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